The draft guidelines classified events into three, based on the risk involved and introduced conditions for organisers, police and district administrations.
Published Nov 06, 2025 | 6:02 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 06, 2025 | 6:02 PM
The draft guidelines aim at the safety of attendees. (Representational image/iStock)
Synopsis: The state government prepared the guidelines based on a Madras High Court directive that asked for framing standard operating procedures. The court issued the directive following the stampede during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam rally attended by actor-politician Vijay in Karur. At least 41 people were killed in the incident on 27 September.
The Tamil Nadu government has presented a set of draft guidelines to regulate public meetings, roadshows, political rallies, and protest demonstrations.
The draft guidelines that were placed before an all-party meeting convened on Thursday, 6 November, ran into opposition, with the CPI(M) terming them an attempt to curb democratic rights. The Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), too, opposed the move.
The guidelines classified events into three, based on the risk involved and introduced conditions for organisers, police and district administrations.
The state government prepared the guidelines based on a Madras High Court directive that asked for framing standard operating procedures. The court issued the directive following the stampede during a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam meeting in Karur. At least 41 people were killed in the incident on 27 September.
Events would be categorised as low-, moderate- or high-risk based on the expected crowd size. One police officer would be deployed for every 200 participants attending low-risk events. For moderate-risk events, the ratio will be 1:100 and 1:50 for high-risk programmes.
A refundable security deposit, linked to the crowd size, has also been proposed. The draft recommended a caution deposit of ₹1 lakh for events with 5,000 to 10,000 people, ₹3 lakh for 10,000 to 20,000 people, ₹8 lakh for 20,000 to 50,000 participants, and ₹20 lakh for events attended by more than 50,000 people. The deposit would be refunded based on adherence to conditions and crowd management.
The draft further mandated advance application timelines. For events held in already-approved venues, organisers must apply at least 10 days in advance and not more than 15 days before the event. For events in unapproved alternative locations, the application must be filed at least 21 days before and not later than 30 days in advance.
Every application must include details of first-aid arrangements, emergency medical support, volunteer teams, and the names of two senior party officials responsible for security and logistics.
The guidelines stated that if the actual crowd exceeded the declared number by more than 50 percent, it would be treated as a serious violation, leading not only to forfeiture of the deposit but also to legal action.
Organisers must also ensure that participants were not made to wait for more than two hours before the event starts. Public meetings and roadshows must generally be completed within three hours, though the police sub-division officer may allow more time depending on the nature of the programme.
Organisers would be responsible for ensuring the peaceful dispersal of the crowd after the event.
Before the event begins, organisers must submit a safety certificate for the stage, pandal structure, electrical systems and loudspeakers, issued by a private engineer and approved by the district administration. The certificate must be submitted at least four hours before the event.
The draft also recommended the placement of flags, poles and digital banners in accordance with the rules of the revenue and municipal administration departments. If the crowd exceeded the venue’s capacity, organisers must arrange barricades and additional holding areas using ropes.
On providing approval, the proposal stated that the police sub-division officer would review the application based on factors such as venue capacity, safety, traffic flow, parking, emergency support and law and order. Permission would be granted at least five days before the event, and if rejected, the reasons would be specified in writing.
If multiple applications were received for the same venue at the same time, priority would be given to the earliest applicant, with recognised political parties receiving preference. If rejected, organisers could rectify the deficiencies and reapply.
The draft emphasised that district authorities would have specific responsibilities during events. Police must enforce all conditions, the health department must ensure ambulances and first-aid centres are in place, the public works department must verify stage and structural safety, the electricity board must certify temporary power connections and equipment, the fire and rescue department must inspect all fire-safety measures, and local bodies must oversee drinking water, toilets and sanitation.
The guidelines apply to public meetings, processions, roadshows, protests, and cultural or religious events where more than 5,000 people are expected. They do not apply to traditional religious rituals held in designated historic locations.
During elections, the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct would take precedence, though the new safety-related norms would still apply.
CPI(M) leader K Balakrishnan said the court had only given an advisory and not a binding order, calling the 24-page draft an attempt to curb democratic rights. He said no other state has such restrictions, and Tamil Nadu would become a laughing stock if the rules are imposed.
He also alleged that the draft reflected only the preferences of the police department and confirmed that his party would legally challenge it.
TVK leader T Velmurugan said none of the conditions were acceptable and demanded that roadshows be banned altogether instead of regulating political gatherings. He argued that instead of restricting political parties, the state should ban corporate-sponsored cultural events such as “Happy Street”, Bigg Boss promotions, and ECR-OMR entertainment shows.
He added that one party’s misbehaviour cannot be used as an excuse to control all political organisations. Velmurugan pointed out that in Chennai, even for rallies on sewage discharge along the Cooum river, only narrow routes are permitted, irrespective of who is in power.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
